[regal]

This is my third DAC in 2 months. I prefer this over the Zhalou and DAC in the Box. Those two were just too bright for me. This DAC-AH has a great organic analog sound. It reminds me of when I used to listen to vinyl.

When I first hooked it up I still had Foobar outputing 24/96 and I was surprised that this DAC still worked with that output. However when I turned the upsampling off and used ASIO4ALL it did sound much better. The other thing I like about this DAC is the size, it fits right under my Millett Hybrid.

I like the sound of the NOS enought that I am considering upgrading to a Storm D02A. The DAC-AH is missing reclocking, I do think I hear some slight jitter and am sure my AV-710 soundcard is not the most jitter free transport.
If you have a solid transport, the DAC-AH would be the perfect NOS-DAC.

 

[003]

Was your zhaolu modded?

 

[mrarroyo]

I also have the AV710 and a Lite Dac-Ah and love the sound. It is very detailed and punchy. I got the AV710 because all I "thought" I needed was an optical out to feed the Dac-Ah.

How did you installed the AV710? I simply put it in and then when I powered the computer back up it asked me if I wanted to search for drivers in the internet. I said yes and it did so.

I have not messed with anything else, did you have to set up anything in windows? Oh, I am use XT. Thanks.

 

[Puffin]

I think the stock Dac Ah sounds very good. A lot of people have modded it and say it sounds even better, better op-amps, input capacitors etc. However some people have said it sounds rubbish ?

 

[Jose Garcia]

Have anyone compared these DAC's to the new Derek Sheks (Sigtone) NOS DAC? I don't know why, but I keep looking at the Shek unit due to the few comments I read about it. Haven't heard it though.

Thanks,

Jose.

 

[crossroadazn]

" I do think I hear some slight jitter "

 

[regal]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Garcia Have anyone compared these DAC's to the new Derek Sheks (Sigtone) NOS DAC? I don't know why, but I keep looking at the Shek unit due to the few comments I read about it. Haven't heard it though. Thanks, Jose.

I looked at the pictures of the Derek DAC, there isn't much to it, Also there is some opinion that asynchronous reclocking with NOS-DAC's introduces more jitter than without it.

 

[mindthegap]

The stock DAC AH, when listening to a well recorded CD sounds, well incredible for the money. It lets transients, sparkle and dynamics come through without constriction.

Here is why some say that it is horrible: On poorly recorded CDs, it is unforgiving and brutal. You will notice everything wrong on the orginal AAD or the poor sampling on a DDD.

Still sounds better than most of the Stereophile class C CD players.

 

[salmon]

I have crappy MP3 player in my car and with association with old delco radio it sound superb, i don´t know what the radio has amp inside but it sound incredible.

 

[Samgotit]

The DAC-AH is good.

 

[DarkAngel]

If you want to keep the wonderful natural NOS sound of Dac AH but increase detail resolution and 3D imaging substantially consider the RAM mods:
RAM

This does raise cost quite a bit at $450, but the sound improvement is impressive, uses very high quality parts. I have RAM mods on my unit which was originally an Audio Mirror Dac......don't plan on selling mine anytime soon.

 

[Jahn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by regal This is my third DAC in 2 months. I prefer this over the Zhalou and DAC in the Box. Those two were just too bright for me. This DAC-AH has a great organic analog sound. It reminds me of when I used to listen to vinyl.

You hit that right on the nose. Enjoy this DAC - i know i do!

 

[TheMarsVolta]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel If you want to keep the wonderful natural NOS sound of Dac AH but increase detail resolution and 3D imaging substantially consider the RAM mods: RAM

Stupid question: NOS = non-oversampling?

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMarsVolta Stupid question: NOS = non-oversampling?

Yes that is correct........as mentioned in this thread stock Dac AH has very relaxed natural sound which is one benefit of NOS. I would still recommend modding for additional improvements in sound since many stock parts are not of highest quality, I used RAM since I am not a DIY electronics guy.

Even with no mods for under $200 you have a nice sweet sounding Dac especially for those who dread a typical "digital" sounding Dac.

BTW if we were talking about tubes for tube gear NOS means something else, new old stock.

 

[fewtch]

What was that website again, where you can get the DAC-AH for under $150 in the US?